Chambers makes point

Harvard frosh steps up

Credit: Patrick Whittemore

DANDY START: Siyani Chambers is wasting little time making an impact in the Harvard backcourt.

When Siyani Chambers was recruited by Harvard, he figured he’d have a year to serve as the understudy to two-time All-Ivy League second-team selection Brandyn Curry.

“When I watched him the year before I came here, I just thought he was a really good point guard,” Chambers said. “When I came on my official (visit), he was just a really nice person. I was looking forward to being with him and learning from him and just trying to be like him, basically.”

Although Curry stays in contact with Chambers, the mentorship never really started. Curry withdrew from Harvard in September after being implicated in a cheating scandal. The loss of Curry has been a gain for Chambers.

The freshman point guard stepped into Curry’s spot and has surprisingly provided an upgrade through the first eight games. Chambers is averaging 11.5 points and five assists while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 93.8 percent from the free throw line. Perhaps the most impressive stat is that Chambers is averaging 36.8 minutes per game.

By comparison, Curry averaged 7.9 points and 4.9 assists while shooting 37.7 percent from the field and 75.9 from the line in 30.3 minutes per game last season.

“We didn’t necessarily look at him as someone’s backup,” Harvard coach Tommy Amaker said of Chambers. “He was a player that we were excited to have in our program; that we knew could contribute early. We didn’t know how early or how much, but we anticipated him giving us some contributions.”

Curry, who has been tracking the team from his Charlotte home, has been impressed by his replacement.

“I knew he was going to do just fine,” Curry said. “But I don’t know if I expected him to take it and run with it like he is now. He’s playing like he’s a veteran, like he’s been playing for years. It’s fun to watch and I’m glad he’s doing so well. I can’t wait to get back there and play with him.”

It’s tempting to look ahead to next year, as Curry and fellow co-captain Kyle Casey, who also withdrew amid the scandal, are expected to rejoin the team.

“I’m looking forward to that a lot, but it’s really far down the road right now,” Chambers said. “I’m just trying to focus on whatever I can do to help this team win this year.”

Chambers has had plenty else to keep his mind occupied. In his first Division 1 game, he matched up with UMass’ Chaz Williams, a first-team All-Atlantic 10 point guard. Chambers didn’t flinch, scoring 14 points and dishing seven assists while playing all 40 minutes in a 67-64 loss.

“I was pretty nervous and excited at the same time,” Chambers said. “It was a new step. It’s not like high school so it was a different type of game. But when I settled down, it was just like a normal basketball game.”

Amaker had no option but to put the team in Chambers’ hands. The results have the coach excited about the future.

“It’s the equivalent of a quarterback of a football team,” Amaker said. “Someone that has poise and a presence and the confidence to take charge at a very young age, that’s not something that you see every day. Certainly, this young guy is built for it and he’s wired that way. We’re very fortunate that he’s been able to hit the ground running.”

Tenacious Terriers

Joe Jones was feeling unexpectedly optimistic during Boston University’s 0-5 start. Despite the losses, the BU coach saw positive signs — the Terriers were sharing the ball, shooting well and the freshman class was contributing.

BU lost three of the games by three points or less, and Jones knew positive results were looming.

“It’s hard to feel good when you’re losing, but I felt as good as you can feel being 0-5,” Jones said. “We wanted to get the monkey off our back, but I definitely thought we were playing good basketball.”

Jones only worried about his players’ psyche after they dropped a 48-45 heartbreaker to George Mason on Nov. 24 to fall to 0-5. But thanks to the leadership of the junior class — point guard D.J. Irving, power forward Dom Morris and small forward Travis Robinson — the Terriers didn’t stay down. They’ve responded with three straight wins heading into tomorrow night’s matchup at Harvard.

“Sometimes it can spiral out of control, but we’re pretty talented,” Jones said. “The thing is they’re talented and they’re really unselfish. We really spread the ball around, and if you play that way, it’s just a matter of time before you get some wins.”

Canty can do

Danvers native Ryan Canty has been one of the few bright spots for 1-8 Fordham.

The 6-foot-9, 230-pound sophomore center has averaged 14.3 points and 9.5 rebounds over the past four games. Canty began his career at St. John’s Prep before starring at Brimmer and May in Chestnut Hill.